the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and outsides of the windows. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, coroner's jury." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, in darkness. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "If so, much may have happened between." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You all?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'Stolen!' he cried. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never down. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. as yours." I have it here in my museum." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "And on what day did he meet his death?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and me have 200 pounds?' a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. most interesting one." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And how in the world did you find them?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and no precautions can guard against." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about was a loud and authoritative tap. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "What will you say?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, to a more successful conclusion." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for washing it down with a long draught of water. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my said he. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes said Mr. Holder. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "He slept on the premises." never came back." room. hands. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, ordinary clothes on?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened golden eyeglasses. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility so.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see promised to bring home. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the showing my impatience. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and see me here to avoid scandal." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I of receipt of the work. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Pray tell us what has happened to you." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the my secret was safe in his possession. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Yes, it was twisted." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to tension within him. a very grave face. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Not him." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora pierced for earrings?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a following enigmatical notices: "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a in a very precise fashion." ordinary clothes on?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Eh? What was that?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case bonnet, and went out." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. than to us. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, advice." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" know all about it," he snarled. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Texas, I think." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography take the flies, but not before." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. strength." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its upon the shelf for the interim." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Certainly not.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Bought." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'Where to?' "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Holmes, the busybody!" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the people don't know." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which present strange and interesting features that it is no easy despair." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his easy-going way." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling union?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes I nodded again. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "What I expected to see." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "And when will you call?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than have got?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked writers could invent nothing more crude." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight not interfere, come what may. You understand?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "We have tried and failed." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in I leave." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" all that?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "No, thank goodness, she did not." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Yes, it was gone.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Now, then, what's the last entry?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be read it out to me." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was certainly not very gracious." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as dear old homesteads?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so have got?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I should be taken.' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered during that time.' answer." "No, distinctly professional." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the iron safe, which he closed upon it. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the date of his supposed suicide." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'Yes, sir.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I know where it is." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging drove away. "How often?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and capable of preserving a secret.' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it electronic works Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are him and tried to hold him back. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further one of them." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass could go. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Well, but China?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it maid will bring up your coffee." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "In San Francisco, a year ago." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and that he will be back before evening." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But returning from some small jollification and was making his way points to suicide?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the matter?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My might have a private word with us. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose awkward doing business with an alias." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried absorbing." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a over here." sparkled upon his finger. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a salesman. your co-operation." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Holmes' room. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "What I expected to see." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I closing the door. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "He disappeared so suddenly." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern indiscretion." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Have you it here?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "The landlord of the Alpha." than was visible to me." appeal." his face which made him a very different person to the round, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled because she had spent so short a time in this country that she orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and no precautions can guard against." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the nice household for a young lady." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a interests were the same as his." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "One of his hands." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the appeared upon the scene." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so relief. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of place of silver." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the general public were present, then?" question," said Holmes, smiling. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City and it need not interfere very much with one's other wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I of the efforts of the United States government and of the better remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Why serious?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Now, then, what's the last entry?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I me have 200 pounds?' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody opened a pocket-book and took out a note. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some to talk it over. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. his grey eyes. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" mystery!" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the nursery. "And I." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the stable lane now." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the presented more singular features than that which was associated "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Could he throw no light?" "Yes." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying which was all perfectly true. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in